It is already possible to remove the genes responsible for tumors: expert

Scientific studies in the breast cancer research area of ​​the American Cancer Treatment Centers (CTCA), in the United States, report that it is already possible to remove the genes that cause this malignancy by specific drugs able to avoid being expressed throughout life, said its medical director, Ricardo Álvarez.

"The genes, we know now, are modifiable, allowing us to activate the expression of one or more and can be corrected.We have genes good and bad, but those that cause the disease can already be removed, modified, prevented from causing cancer and, perhaps in the near future, until they are transplanted, "said the oncologist in a interview. inducible genes, that is, the presence of a substance (an inducer) in the environment ignites the expression of one or more. This can be used against cancer.

"We are faced with the enormous possibility of bringing women with genetic alterations to stop developing cancer and have a normal life, like the others, because there are sequencing tools" We know that cancer is a disease of genes and with precision medicine, which goes beyond the individual, we can remove them, "said the expert., reiterated the member of the Society American Association of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

The specialist explained that in his research center they managed to design a macrochip that identifies 300 genes that promote the development of breast cancer, of which, until now, they have studied 30, that is to say, we know exactly their molecular behavior and whether they are active.

Knowledge genetic, adds Alvarez, help take me treatment decisions for these women, which in many cases is far removed from the use of chemotherapy or breast ablation

. also allowed to identify the protective genes against cancer and how they can act providing the genes that will be deleted.

"We are in the near future," said the executive, in which it will be possible to return to continue diagnosis 152 000 annual cases of breast cancer

Technological tools, clarified at MILENIO, detect cancer cells of the HER-2 positive gene, triple-negative biomarkers, hormone receptors and mutations of the wide range of tumors that are present in one in five women.

According to the expert, precision medicine detects potential carcinogenic genes so that they are not expressed It also allows us to treat women in the best way, and it is even possible to repair this genetic error so that the tumor does not continue to progress.

Álvarez, author of a hundred works published in scientific journals such as The News England Journal of Medicine, stated that the macrochip reaches the degree of accuracy in determining whether these genes are asleep and trying to never activate them.

If activated genes are detected in the study, he adds, then the biopsy is used, it is sent to the pathologist and in this way the behavior of the tumor will be known. With this information, immunotherapies are being developed that will make the cancer non-fatal, he said.

Research is currently focused on breast cancer, but is already opening up new avenues of knowledge for lung neoplasms. , lymphoma, melanoma, colon. "If they share the same genetic alteration, we can also treat these conditions," he said.

Álvarez pointed out that genetic studies require public policies that contribute to altering the natural history of cancer. "It is necessary to quit smoking, 33% of cancer is related to this addiction that alters genes, Moreover, do not expose yourself to viruses and vaccinate against the human papillomavirus and the disease. Hepatitis "

The specialist emphasizes that it is also important to exercise, as this activates the protective genes and reduces obesity. We know that 30% of cancer patients have multidisciplinary factors that need to be corrected, "he said.

In the plenary session of Gabriel García Márquez and Roche Press Day, Álvarez said:" In Mexico, Health: There has been no progress in educating people. It is not enough to have infrastructure, there is a lack of supervision with qualified staff and the largest number of people. "